Schlumberger and BT: Wireless World First for Offshore Workers
Posted on April 23, 2008 – 6:22 am | by vchris
Schlumberger and BT Openzone Wi-Fi installation at Byford Dolphin shows unprecedented demand for offshore Internet service
Houston, April 22, 2008 - Schlumberger and BT today announced the launch of the world’s first public wireless broadband service for offshore and remote oil and gas drilling rigs and production platforms. This pioneering service means that offshore workers can now communicate more easily with friends and family back home using e-mail, instant messaging and web cam.
The service, installed by the Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS), has been operational on the Byford Dolphin rig in the North Sea during a three month trial. Wireless connectivity is provided over the rig’s main satellite link. The Wi-Fi service allows the 100+ workers to use wirelessly enabled laptops and PDAs, throughout the rig accommodation area, to access the internet as they would from any BT Openzone hotspot onshore.
The Byford Dolphin rig, managed by Dolphin Drilling Ltd, operates primarily in the North Sea. Despite the rig moves and distances, rig workers are still able to use Wireless Broadband to communicate with loved ones and friends back home.
Because of the success of the trial, Schlumberger will now roll-out the public wireless service globally for remote and offshore drilling and production operations. Demetrios Stellas, vice president for Digital Infrastructure, SIS, said: “Our industry is continually looking for new ways to improve the welfare and wellbeing of offshore and remote workers. Increasingly, offshore workers expect to have access to the internet services that they can get at home. We believe that this new service will be recognized as a real benefit by oil workers who often work in harsh and difficult environments both offshore and in frontier locations.”
Tim Passingham, general manager for BT oil and gas, said: “The BT and Schlumberger Offshore wireless connectivity service allows the industry to realize further the benefits promised by the Digital Oilfield. We’re proud to be working with Schlumberger in partnership to provide this service for offshore workers away from home that will improve their quality of life.”
Users can buy vouchers onboard or can subscribe to the service online. UK-based BT Total Broadband customers, who are members of the BT FON community and receive inclusive Wi-Fi minutes, can also take advantage of these when they are away working on the rig.
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is the world’s leading oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management that optimize reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry. The company employs more than 80,000 people of over 140 nationalities working in approximately 80 countries. Schlumberger supplies a wide range of products and services from seismic acquisition and processing; formation evaluation; well testing and directional drilling to well cementing and stimulation; artificial lift and well completions; and consulting, software, and information management. In 2007, Schlumberger revenue was $23.28 billion. For more information, visit www.SLB.com.
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,223 million with profit before taxation of £2,484 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
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For further information, contact:
Susan Ganz
Media Relations Manager
Schlumberger Oilfield Services
+1 281 285 8245
sganz1@slb.com
Mike Bartlett
BT Group Newsroom
+1 020 7356 6045
Mike.Bartlett@bt.com
Gemma Thomas
BT Group Newsroom
+1 020 7356 6045
Gemma.c.thomas@bt.com
Tags: BT, First, Offshore, Schlumberger, Wireless, Workers, World
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